The Alternative fur Deutschland or Alternative for Germany party has emerged with notable vote shares, making it the first far- right political party to do so ever since the second World War. The State Parliamentary Elections that were held in the states of Thuringia and Saxony Sunday set “historic” precedents for the AfD and dangerous records for the ruling Coalition government which was unable to win any significant amount of votes.
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AfD’s success in Thuringia
According to the exit- polls conducted by the ZDF- a broadcast channel in Germany, the AfD has fared exceptionally, accounting for a vote percentage of 33.2%. This exceeds the Conservative Christian Democratic Union of Germany’s (CDU) win of 23.6%. Though none of the other parties are willing to ally with the AfD to form the government, their win in the State election indicates a major triumph for them.
The party will gain a prominent position in the state parliament, making a unanimous passage of laws and policies difficult. It is speculated that any crucial appointments, like those of Court Judges, and other important decisions requiring 2/3rd majority will be rendered onerous.
AfD’s success in Saxony
Regional elections were also held in the German state of Saxony on 1st September. The polls have produced atypical results there as well. The CDU, which has been ruling the state since two-and-a-half decades, has only been able to secure 31.5% of the votes there. This lends them only 1.1% of lead against AfD’s 30.4% votes.
On the other hand, Sahra Wagenknecht’s BSW has performed remarkably well, ranking third in both states, despite only being formed this year. BSW is reportedly seeking to ally with other political parties, which grants it a paramount position at this critical juncture in German politics.
CDU’s Michael Kretschmer- the State Premier of Saxony has come out to blame the Social Democratic Party (SPD) Chancellor Olaf Scholz’ cantankerous politics and unsound coalition for the German population’s leaning towards far- right propaganda. According to the polls, the coalition parties have been unable to secure a viable share of votes to sustain themselves in the parliament, with only SDP having scored over 5% votes to hold a place in the state legislatures.
Fight against “Normalization of Fascism”
The far- right owes the sudden surge in its popularity to the recent stabbing attack at a festival in Solingen. The attacker was allegedly a Syrian immigrant, whom the government had failed to deport. The AfD’s firm stance against immigration has, therefore, apparently gathered support in the state elections. These regional elections will also set the stage for the German general elections which are set to take place next year.
The German Intelligence agencies have often accused the AfD of extremism. Moreover, its popular leader Bjoern Hoecke has been fined twice for making use of Nazi slogans. The State Premier of Thuringia- Bodo Ramelow- claimed that all leftist parties in the country should now unite in their efforts against the far- right. They must fight against the “normalization of Fascism,” he said.
